SIRDEP empowers women to be involved in municipal council decision making

Through her Social Development Component, SIRDEP seeks to enhance the participation of women in the Cameroon public life. It is in this light that SIRDEP, with the collaboration of VSO Cameroon agreed to run a project titled “Engaging women in decision making.”

Tubah Council was chosen as a pilot council for the implementation of this project. As part of the project, 100 women from four groups were mobilized and trained on the process of decision making and the importance for them to get involved in the process. In the main presentation titled ‘breaking the silence’, the female facilitators from SIRDEP stressed on the fact that women must make their voices heard in all avenues where they belong – be it church, in the council, in the village and Cameroon at large.

Women they said should get more involved in politics by going in for elective positions such as councilors, mayors and parliamentarians. By so doing they will fight for the plight of other women through their proposals thus influencing decisions. This can only be possible if women come out of their cocoons of silence and challenge men in elective positions, while calling on fellow women to vote for them.

Women have to be more assertive, confident and courageous in approaching issues. They must not be the obstacle for other women as is commonly believed in most circles in the North West Region. When women start thinking as such only then will male dominance, intimidation and bullying reduce.

Participants for the workshop came from women social groups, religious groups as well as the female councilors of Tubah council with the 2nd deputy mayor, Mrs. Mary Eunice leading the group.

On the 8th of March 2012, SIRDEP will be leading these groups of women for a march past in Tubah as activities to commemorate the International Women Day.

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About SIRDEPThe Society for Initiatives in Rural Development and Environmental Protection (SIRDEP) is non-governmental, not-for-profit making organization in Cameroon head quartered in Bamenda. SIRDEP has a multi-disciplinary team of experienced agronomists, agro-economists, livestock technicians, rural engineers, and natural resource management experts who work together to foster positive, sustainable development.
SIRDEP was founded in 1992 and is one of the oldest indigenous NGOs in the North West Region of Cameroon.